Chapter 145: To repay the enemy with firepower

Zhang Lao's move left Chen Wuji stunned.

Bewildering Fragrance, Shocking Heaven Thunder—this old master sure knows a lot.

He didn't go wander the Rivers and Lakes; instead, he practices medicine here, surely he feels deep compassion for those of the Rivers and Lakes.

"Here, mix these with mugwort, pound them, rub into mugwort wool; time is tight, can't make incense, just use the mugwort wool—effect shouldn't be bad." Zhang Lao handed the prepared medicine to Chen Wuji: "You do this first; I'll prepare the Shocking Heaven Thunder for you."

Chen Wuji nodded.

Zhang Lao, while rummaging through boxes and cabinets, muttered to himself: "This Shocking Heaven Thunder is no small thing; it's one of the greatest legacies of our lineage. Rumor has it that once ignited, it sounds like thunder, capable of shattering houses and cracking mountains and rocks."

"I've heard of this too; its power is indeed astonishing." Chen Wuji nodded.

Later generations' continually improved gunpowder does far more than just shatter houses and crack mountains—one shot can level a mountain.

Zhang Lao suddenly asked doubtfully: "Since the Shocking Heaven Thunder first appeared in the Former Dynasty, it soon fell into the hands of our Charitable Relief Hall lineage—how did you come to know of it?"

"Mine too is what the elders at home said; he only happened to hear of it, knew which medicines to use, but didn't know the exact proportions." Chen Wuji said.

Zhang Lao nodded: "Your ancestors must have come into contact with that alchemist; few people in the world know of this Shocking Heaven Thunder—even going back five generations, only a handful."

Such a low-probability event, and he actually encountered it.

Chen Wuji could only say, "With the person alright, this luck surely won't be too bad."

Xiaoyu poked his head out from the doorway, saw Zhang Lao hunched over looking for medicine, then sneaked over to Chen Wuji's side: "Senior Brother, I've been waiting for you at the door."

He left a quiet remark, and before Zhang Lao noticed, he slipped away like a swimming fish.

The flea on the drum moves—landing soundlessly, walking like a ghost.

Chen Wuji saw Xiaoyu's skill, nearly matching it—his steps made no sound at all, so agile he was practically a spirit cat.

"At last we've found it—saltpeter isn't commonly used, but we still have some." Zhang Lao beat his sore waist, moving a small bag of saltpeter onto the counter.

After some pounding, Zhang Lao filled the bamboo tube with the prepared gunpowder, bound it tightly with rope, and a Shocking Heaven Thunder of unknown power was ready.

Zhang Lao carefully placed it aside and gave Chen Wuji a stern warning: "Wuji, you must keep this far from open flames, otherwise the consequences are unthinkable."

Chen Wuji nodded heavily: "Got it, Zhang Lao."

That's common sense.

Getting gunpowder close to open flames is practically asking for a shorter life.

Chen Wuji suddenly realized, to his surprise, that the ingredients for making gunpowder were all readily available in the medical clinic.

In other words, most medical clinics have the capability to prepare gunpowder.

Although saltpeter and sulfur aren't commonly used, they are still medicinal ingredients.

As for bamboo tubes, they're nothing rare.

In this era, most medical clinics use bamboo tubes for fire cupping or as containers for medicine.

This medical clinic that has stood in Yunan for a hundred years, under this hazy night, suddenly turned into a gunpowder workshop.

Who would believe this operation!

But having said that, Zhang Lao's idea actually aligns quite well with Chen Wuji's.

However, as a highly respected physician with years of practice, Zhang Lao's methods are even darker than Chen Wuji's.

Chen Wuji had only thought of a Molotov Cocktail before.

When we are clearly outnumbered by the enemy, this also counts as a good weapon for killing foes.

But compared to Shocking Heaven Thunder and Bewildering Fragrance, this thing is just the little brother.

Chen Wuji packed the prepared Bewildering Fragrance, took a stroll outside, then brought back a small bag of gravel that the neighbor diagonally across the street gave him for free.

"Zhang Lao, I'll load the rest; you take a break." Chen Wuji said.

"You do it." Zhang Lao chuckled: "Wuji, did you understand the proportions?"

"No, I don't have that kind of eyesight." Chen Wuji shook his head.

Zhang Lao beat his sore waist and sat down on the somewhat aged cot: "If you agree to take over the Charitable Relief Hall, I'll pass this formula to you; if you keep refusing, I can only make it for you myself. The lineage's inheritance of the Charitable Relief Hall—my master and ancestors are watching from heaven, so I can't just hand it over casually."

"Zhang Lao, you've already helped enough." Chen Wuji said.

Actually, if given some time to try bit by bit, this formula could indeed be worked out.

After all, with only three ingredients, the proportioning method at most adds one decimal place—it's not that complicated.

"What are you putting stones in there for? Don't mess around!" Zhang Lao shouted when he saw Chen Wuji mixing stones into the bamboo tube.

Chen Wuji said: "Zhang Lao, a Shocking Heaven Thunder prepared this way has greater lethal power."

"Is that what your elders said?" Zhang Lao asked dubiously.

Chen Wuji nodded: "My ancestors once went to battle."

The Chen clan wielded great power in Beijun and constantly fought the Northern Barbarians, so going to battle makes perfect sense.

"Since your ancestors said so, let's try it." Zhang Lao finally relaxed: "It's inherently a weapon; as a weapon, it ought to have great lethal force, so the enemy will feel our might and mercy."

Chen Wuji: ……

He thought someone as venerable as Old Master Zhang Lao would definitely say a few words.

He never expected this……

The old man is truly not pedantic at all, and shows no mercy toward enemies.

Chen Wuji packed all of Zhang Lao's prepared gunpowder into bamboo tubes, binding them tightly with hemp rope—twelve in total.

With these divine weapons, tonight's chances of victory multiply.

"Zhang Lao, I'll be heading out then." Chen Wuji shouldered the gunpowder and Bewildering Fragrance, bowed to Zhang Lao.

Zhang Lao rose from the cot, gave a small wave, and said, "Go, stay safe."

"Mm."

Chen Wuji left the Charitable Relief Hall.

Xiaoyu crouched beneath the stone steps, seeing Chen Wuji come out, immediately hurried to follow.

"Senior brother, where are we going to fight? I only have one dagger, is that enough?" Xiaoyu was truly enthusiastic about this matter; his performance let Chen Wuji see the look he had when he was a child going to the market with his parents, his eyes full of joy and excitement.

"We'll know once we get there; let's go find a few more helpers—with just us few, we're still short-handed." Chen Wuji said.

Give it our all, striving to happily send him to his death.

Yangji Tiejiangpu.

Perhaps worried that the noise of forging would disturb the neighbors, Yang Tiejiang extinguished the few furnaces outside and moved everything indoors.

Yang Tiejiang also took over the two neighboring shops, so the smithy now spans three storefronts, making it the largest shop on this street, bar none.